Obamacare’s ‘Stiff Medicine’

OK WOMAN: “When the health insurance premiums got to the point that they were higher than her mortgage, Renee Powell started to become cynical. ‘There was something in me that just kind of switched,’ said the mother of two from Bartlesville, Okla. ‘I was okay with paying $750, but when it became about $100 more than my housing costs, it upset me.’” (“Politics In Real Life: Rising Health Care Costs Weigh On Voters,” NPR, 5/3/16)

“She shopped for insurance through the Obamacare exchange and learned that rates in her new area were much higher than they had been in Oklahoma City. She bought a health plan from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma for $750 a month with a manageable deductible. Then last year Blue Cross eliminated that plan — which is pretty common as insurers adjust to the Obamacare markets — and Powell was forced to buy the more expensive policy with a deductible of $3,000 for each person in her family. The insurance pays for check-ups and prescriptions, but if anyone gets sick, Powell has to pay the full doctor bill until the deductibles are met.” (“Politics In Real Life: Rising Health Care Costs Weigh On Voters,” NPR, 5/3/16)

…And More ‘Substantial Increases In Obamacare Premiums’ Are Coming Next Year

“Insurers will seek significant premium hikes under President Barack Obama's health care law this summer - stiff medicine for consumers and voters ahead of the national political conventions. Expect the state-by-state premium requests to reflect what insurers see as the bottom line: The health law has been a financial drain for many companies. They're setting the stage for 2017 hikes that could reach well into the double digits...”(“Significant Premium Hikes Expected Under Obama Health Law,” The Associated Press, 4/28/2016)

Obamacare Co-Op Insurer: ‘I Have To Raise Prices Because I Have To Assume The Worst’

“Just over half of the 23 nonprofit startups seeded with Obamacare loan dollars have collapsed after hemorrhaging red ink. The 11 surviving plans continue to struggle, with more than $400 million in combined losses last year.”(“Obamacare's November Surprise,” Politico, 5/02/2016)

NEW MEXICO: “‘I have to raise prices because I have to assume the worst,’ said Martin Hickey, CEO of New Mexico Health Connections, one of the surviving co-ops, which expects to increase prices by roughly a third for 2017. ‘Whether it stabilizes or not, we can’t take the risk.’” (“Obamacare's November Surprise,” Politico, 5/02/2016)

NEW YORK: “Even New York-based Oscar, the much ballyhooed, tech-savvy startup bankrolled with billions in venture capital dollar, is sputtering. Medical costs for Oscar’s individual customers in New York, where it has the most customers, outstripped premiums by nearly 50 percent last year, according to financial filings.”(“Obamacare's November Surprise,” Politico, 5/02/2016)

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): “Bringing down costs of health insurance and making it more affordable is job one for this health care reform.”(Sen. Dick Durbin, Floor Remarks, 12/18/09)SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY):“When people see what is in this bill and when people see what it does, they will come around.”(“Schumer: Poll Numbers Will Turn In Dems Favor,” Politico, 12/21/09)Tags:Obamacare, Stiff Medicine, Bigger Premium Increases, Expected, 2017, Public’s Views, More Negative, Than Positive’To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!

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